Shiro freezes, eyes darting around to every part of the room, looking for Galra, looking for an escape. Where is this? Nowhere in the Castle of Lions, that’s for sure. Where are the others? Where is Zarkon? What happened? His hand is empty – the bayard is gone. Well, he hasn’t needed it before. Holding his hand out behind him, he activates its powers, sheathing it in a purple glow. He won’t be caught off guard.

Partly crouched, he shifts silently across the carpet to investigate the fireplace briefly and then across to the desk. The grandiose opulence does not escape him – he’s military, he’s seen this sort of display before – nor does the notation on the mug. Emperor. Another emperor. What is going on? If there is anything in the desk, he wants to find it. He makes his way quietly around the side.